[TowerTalk] Build your own control line suppressor??

[ersmar at comcast.net]

Bob:

     When I first installed the ComTek RCB-5 remote switch on my tower, I had to change twice all the LEDs on the indoor control box.  Over a period of a few weeks in late summer, I lost all five a couple of times, probably due to lightning nearby. (No station damage, so my working assumption is a strike around me.)

     I simply installed 0.001 uF bypass caps from the +12VDC lead feeding each LED to ground.  Haven't had a failure since (2001.)  

     The fellow from whom I purchased the switch had also installed a series of MOVs on a screw barrier strip inside his switch enclosure out at his tower.  I can't recall what type they were, but I expect that a 50V or lower MOV should suffice for your app.  

73 de
Gene Smar  AD3F


 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Bob Kellow, W5LT" <W5LT at comcast.net>
> Anyone out there built their own suppressor for rotor/switch control lines?
> It seems the commercial ones are just boxes with MOV's across the lines, and
> the MOV's are cheap.
> I am doing a new install with about 36 wires going various places up the
> tower, and buying the ICE or other commercial devices are getting expensive.
> If you have "built your own" what varistor did you use?
> 
> Bob, W5LT
> 
> 
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